ST. CLOUD – Motorists travelling Interstate 94 near St. Cloud will encounter delays as non-rush hour lane closures occur on both directions of I-94 between Highway 24 in Clearwater and County Road 75 in St. Cloud. The closures began Tuesday, March 26.

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These initial closures will occur from sunrise to sunset Mondays through Saturdays through March 30, and are needed as crews begin preparatory work for a project to resurface the road.

Major delays expected; motorists should plan travel

Both directions of I-94 will be reduced to a single lane, 24-hours per day, beginning April 1. Major delays are expected during peak travel periods.

Traffic forecasts show initial backups of five to seven miles, with summertime backups of 20 miles or more possible during peak travel periods. The longest backups are expected on westbound I-94 on Friday afternoons and evenings, and on eastbound I-94 on Friday afternoons and Sundays after 11 a.m. More details can be found on the project website.

Motorists should plan routes, allow extra time for travel and check www.511mn.org for real-time traffic information prior to travel.

Drivers are advised to use the “zipper merge” when traffic backs up in the work zone, be prepared to stop, and to navigate the work zone with caution whenever flashing lights, workers and orange cones or barrels are present.

For detailed project information, including current schedule, travel information and tips on navigating during construction, visit the project’s website: www.mndot.gov/d3/i94/.

To receive important project information including traffic and construction updates, subscribe to the project’s email updates.

When complete, the project will result in a smoother ride, improved drainage and reduced short-term maintenance costs on 7.5 miles of busy interstate.